I'll Never Hurt You / The Two-on-One Season Is About to Begin

If she had the time, she really wanted to give it a try.

In a sense, fireworks and starlight might be the same thing.

Because many people expend countless courage and heartbeats, but in the end, all they chase is a distant beam of light that will not stay for them, projected from countless light-years away, like the remnants of fireworks that bloom and extinguish in an instant, never to return, plunging into the darkness.

Those are things that are too distant and too easily lost.

Shiina Hiyori was still standing there.

Ryuen Kakeru had somehow managed to gather most of the students from Class D, and the commotion they created far exceeded her expectations, even slightly drowning out the sound of fireworks in the air.

After the Fireworks Festival began, Shiina Hiyori never looked up at the night sky; instead, she kept her gaze level and looked in only one direction.

It's almost as if it's emphasizing something.

She only keeps the beautiful past.

It's also within our reach now.

It is also the future that has never left.

Chapter 487: Absolutely No Harm

"Hey... look over there."

"Huh? Is this some kind of Matoba added to a festival?"

"No way, I think I saw a lot of students from Class 1-D. The one standing in the very middle is Shiina from their class, right?"

"What's with all this fuss? Holy crap, that sign that lit up just now said 'Marry Me' in English, right? What the heck?"

Even as fireworks continued to bloom brilliantly in the night sky above, making vows to the stars in the form of words and images, more and more viewers noticed another ring of starlight spreading out from around them.

Because the area near the Gymnasium had already been decorated for the Valentine's Day Matoba, Shiina Hiyori and Karuizawa Kei's decorations were naturally hidden away and not noticed by other students beforehand. When they were all switched on and the electricity was turned on, the light they emitted was almost as dazzling as the fireworks in the sky.

Dozens of trees, each with a colored light bulb strapped to its trunk, lit up simultaneously, transforming the entire small forest into a fairytale-like magical scene. The colorful balloons, originally bound to the branches and hidden in the canopy, and tied to various luminous bases, were released into the air. The candles on the ground were arranged to light up in a domino-like sequence, extending outwards from Shiina Hiyori's feet as if guiding someone's path, disappearing only after passing through a silver-white archway covered with flower petals.

Around this area, Ryuen Kakeru, who had somehow brought in two high-powered long-range spotlights, used them as spotlights. The other Class D students gathered there simultaneously turned on their phone flashlights, raised them high, and swung them left and right in an orderly fashion, creating a sea of light – a signal of support.

"It must be something Hiyori did."

Having reached this point, Ichinose Honami stopped pretending to be deaf and dumb, and instead turned to look at Kitagawa Ryo, asking:

"Is Liang going over there?"

"If possible, I hope Honami can come with me."

"... Is that so?"

As if she hadn't expected Kitagawa Ryo's answer, Ichinose Honami paused for a moment, then looked up at the night sky still etched with their names, before finally smiling and nodding.

"Okay, then I'll go with Ryo."

Undoubtedly, with Shiina Hiyori's actions, many viewers have turned their attention to Kitagawa Ryo with great interest. After all, Kitagawa Ryo is probably the only student in the entire Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School who could make a girl put on such a big show.

Then, to their astonishment, they saw Kitagawa Ryo and Ichinose Honami walking hand in hand.

The moment they saw this scene, many onlookers had already vividly imagined and conceived several versions of love-hate love triangle stories in their minds, just waiting to flood the campus forums with their stories after tonight's event.

Unfortunately, some people can spend Valentine's Day with their girlfriends, while others can only gossip about other people's relationships. But everyone seems pretty happy, so I guess they all have bright futures.

Compared to the bloodthirsty audience who were already mentally chanting lines like "I want to see rivers of blood," the other party involved Shiina Hiyori, was quite calm, displaying a composed and dignified demeanor befitting a queen even in the face of a collapsing mountain... just kidding.

At this moment, it's all about being a good best friend. Unlike the other students in Class D, Shiina Hiyori, who had known Karuizawa Kei for several years, immediately recognized that her friend was simply frozen in place due to excessive nervousness and confusion. She quickly stepped forward and gently nudged her from behind, whispering urgently:

"Hiyori, hurry up and get out of here. If you stay any longer, all your work will end up being done for someone else."

Not only Shiina Hiyori, but also Karuizawa Kei, who has maxed out all her growth points through two simulations and one rebirth, can clearly grasp Ichinose Honami's, or rather, the changed Ichinose Honami's, personality and style of doing things.

Just as the other party wouldn't stop Kitagawa Ryo from transferring to Class B to reunite with her, but instead used their own strength to gather Twenty Million Personal Points to transfer, compared to directly ruining Kitagawa Ryo's plan or restricting the other party's actions, Ichinose Honami's current preferred and more skillful tactic is undoubtedly to turn the tables and easily turn the other party's home ground into her own.

Although this flower-lined path was indeed paved for Kitagawa Ryo and Shiina Hiyori in a literal sense, Karuizawa Kei had no doubt that Ichinose Honami would unhesitatingly pull Kitagawa Ryo onto this path, and at that time, the flowers and colorful lights along the way would become mere embellishments for the two of them.

"Oh oh."

Reminded by Karuizawa Kei, Shiina Hiyori belatedly realized what was happening and started jogging forward.

Because she never felt that the fireworks in the sky were meant for her, Shiina Hiyori naturally didn't choose to change into a proper Yukata like Ichinose Honami. Today, she was wearing ordinary winter clothes. Her long, silver-white hair draped over her shoulders and the tassels at the end of the scarf around her neck fluttered naturally in the evening breeze as she ran. Even though it was only a short distance, perhaps because her feelings were too complicated, when Shiina Hiyori reached the archway, she subconsciously held her knees and took a couple of breaths.

Judging solely from her entrance and demeanor, she's probably the most disheveled of the female leads.

Such a thought flashed through Shiina Hiyori's mind for only a moment, but then disappeared without a trace, because everyone's eyes were already focused on her like spotlights.

More precisely, the previous sentence didn't even need to use a metaphor.

Because the two 'spotlights' controlled by Ryuen Kakeru also followed her movements in a real sense, casting a clear circle of light at Shiina Hiyori's feet.

The final round of fireworks was still going strong; if you just raised your gaze slightly, you could see the backdrop that belonged exclusively to Kitagawa Ryo and Ichinose Honami.

So why insist on setting the date for today when we know this will happen?

The moment she saw Kitagawa Ryo, all the confusion and doubts she had felt vanished from Shiina Hiyori's mind, and the final answer was already emerging there.

The reason is actually quite simple.

What she truly desires might be exactly the same as Ichinose Honami is standing before her right now.

Since that the Tempest night on the Uninhabited Island last summer, the Tempest in Shiina Hiyori's heart was also ignited by Kitagawa Ryo.

Even if the process is subtle and restrained, after such a long time, it has already accumulated to the point of overflowing.

The romance between the two, who were both fans of mystery novels, book lovers, and kindred spirits, had been conveyed to each other through the clock trick at noon. At this moment, standing in front of Kitagawa Ryo was only the girl herself, who simply wanted to convey her sincere love.

The fireworks tonight didn't rise and bloom for her, nor did the drones create their trails for her, but none of that matters. There's only one important thing.

That is, after traversing the distance of time and space in a winding and circuitous way, the two of them can still stand in front of each other and exchange the ring that connects the past, present and future again, just like the paper airplane from their childhood that flew back to their hands at some point.

That is precisely why.

Shiina Hiyori completely ignored Ichinose Honami Kitagawa Ryo.

However, she did not say things like "Please go out with me," "Let's be together," or "Please accept my feelings" as others had expected. Those words, which were meant to test, inquire, or ask for something, were not things that should have appeared between Shiina Hiyori and Kitagawa Ryo.

Therefore, she simply repeated the same sentence she had said before.

That statement, which I didn't manage to do then, but which I still believe I can do in the future.

"We will never be apart."

After saying that, before Kitagawa Ryo could respond, Shiina Hiyori reached out and grabbed his other free hand, pulling him into the archway with a force that wasn't strong but seemed irresistible.

Just when the surrounding onlookers thought a real "let's split this up" Matoba was about to unfold, Ichinose Honami, who had been holding Kitagawa Ryo's left hand, intriguingly released his grip, allowing Shiina Hiyori to pull him over.

Ichinose Honami would never hurt Kitagawa Ryo.

Even if I go through several more lifetimes and several more cycles of reincarnation, this point will probably never change.

In fact, it was never the case, as Kitagawa Ryo thought, that Karuizawa Kei was the only one willing to accept his vision of the future, a vision that would surely be criticized as being too greedy.

Although their thought processes and internal logic are completely different, they both ultimately lead to the same concept.

Of course, this doesn't mean that Ichinose Honami is now a holy archangel who will unconditionally forgive Kitagawa Ryo no matter what he does. After all, his wishes and expectations are clearly engraved on the fireworks that are rising into the sky.

Therefore, as an ordinary girl, it would be natural and reasonable for her boyfriend to punish the unexpected incident during the date.

In this respect, Karuizawa Kei is indeed one of the people who understands Ichinose Honami the most.

What she's best at, or rather what she likes most, is turning the tables on the opponent by taking advantage of their home turf. This was true during the Sports Festival, and it was also true when she transferred classes.

After Ichinose Honami had long known that due to her extreme slacking off and hesitation in the early stages, she had already lost the best opportunity.

The last girl to realize this was actually Asahina Nazuna, who is still struggling with this matter, but Ichinose Honami's thinking is completely different from his.

A slight sense of inferiority, an overwhelming protective instinct, and many other complex and profound emotions have shaped Ichinose Honami into who she is today. Perhaps that experience was too Unforgettable. If she had to give a vague definition, she would even feel that her psychology is closer to that of Karuizawa Kei at that time.

When it comes to home ground, whether it's yours or someone else's, wouldn't it be better to just take it all? In fact, the latter situation, where someone comes from behind and takes the lead, is more likely to excite Ichinose Honami.

So, on the other hand, why choose to give the gift tonight, and why specifically a ring?

To the answer she already knew, Ichinose Honami merely glanced thoughtfully at Kitagawa Ryo figure, revealing a smile that was anything but that of a loser, and could even be described as mischievous.

If that's the case...

Let Liang wear it for a while longer then.

It's best not to take them off until the sun comes up tomorrow morning.

Seeing that Shiina Hiyori had finally brought Kitagawa Ryo back alone, Karuizawa Kei, who was seated near the family and friends, also breathed a sigh of relief and signaled to the other Class D students next to her to bring out the things they had prepared as planned.

Unlike the Cultural Festival, where I didn't think too much about it and just ran over to check it as soon as it was in my hand, this time the ring was neatly placed in a carefully purchased ring pillow, making it look much more formal in terms of appearance and quality.

On the other side, Kitagawa Ryo and Shiina Hiyori, who inexplicably felt that their proposal ceremony had turned into a wedding ceremony like walking down the aisle, finally reached the finish line amidst the waving of cell phone flashlights and the cheers of Class D and other students.

A small stage had even been set up in advance, surrounded by various letter lights, colorful balloons, ribbons, decorations, and tulle. Being there felt like stepping into a fairytale kingdom, which involuntarily reminded Kitagawa Ryo of the only marriage he had ever had in the simulation and Shiina Hiyori, who remained entangled with him even after their marriage.

However, times have changed, and now it is Shiina Hiyori herself who has become the protagonist of this ceremony.

Actually, Kitagawa Ryo had almost forgotten about this memory, but since the two people who appeared today wearing rings were Horikita Suzune and Shiina Hiyori, Hotaru really managed to gather all the elements at once. It seems she'll have to give him another good scolding when she gets back.

But soon, Kitagawa Ryo refocused all his attention on Shiina Hiyori in front of him, who had picked up the ring pillow and was asking him questions as if they had switched roles.

"Cold."

It was a title I'd heard countless times, but this time it felt exceptionally different.

Without a second's hesitation, Kitagawa Ryo met Shiina Hiyori's gaze firmly, extended his left hand to her, and let her place the ring on his finger, a ring that seemed to symbolize destiny.

In that instant, the flashes of light from the surrounding lights came on all at once.

Amidst the cacophony, the phrase uttered by the students of Class D, initiated by Ryuen Kakeru, stood out remarkably as clear and unified:

"Since you've accepted this ring—"

"Those are the people from our class!"

Chapter 488: The 1v2 Season is About to Begin

When it comes to major class decisions like transferring classes, even a class Leader like Ryuen Kakeru, who practically has the final say in the class, can't make a hasty decision without telling the other students. It's essential to create some buzz beforehand.

Just like before Kitagawa Ryo officially transferred to Class B, Karuizawa Kei and Kanzaki Ryuji had already laid the groundwork for him, planning and executing the transfer more than a semester in advance. This made his transfer seem so smooth and seamless, and he was able to lead his class to excellent results in the Special Exam a month after the transfer.

After making this decision, Ryuen Kakeru's gaze naturally fell on Shiina Hiyori. After all, almost all of Kitagawa Ryo's communication with Class D had been conducted and completed through the other party. In particular, the Uninhabited Island Special Exam last year, in which he was forced to be absent but the class still managed to turn the tide and succeed, perfectly demonstrated the relationship between the two.

If our competitors from other classes are willing to help like this, what will happen if it's our own class?

That's why Ryuen Kakeru offered Shiina Hiyori his full support on Shiina Hiyori. This wasn't just to support her love life, but also for the long-term benefit of the class. After all, he himself had never been interested in matters of the heart; he simply hoped to act as a partner to Kitagawa Ryo, not as an opponent.

He felt that they would definitely be the most compatible duo, and that they could perfectly complement each other in terms of personality, ability, and methods. Moreover, the other person was quite popular among both the boys and girls in Class D.

If anyone's arrival could make Ryuen Kakeru willingly share or even give up his position as class Leader, then without a doubt, that name is only Kitagawa Ryo, not even Ayanokoji Kiyotaka from Class 1-C.

But...

Ryuen Kakeru's gaze returned to Shiina Hiyori under the spotlight, and he unconsciously recalled their conversation earlier that day.

Do they first need to prove, through Special Exam at the end of the school year, that Class D hasn't fallen to the point of being beyond redemption?

It sounds like a rather difficult, even somewhat impossible, task. After all, the situation in the First Year is gradually becoming clear. Whether it's Class A and Class B, whose score difference is less than 100, or Class C, which gained an advantage in the Mixed Training Camp Special Exam and jumped into the middle ranks, none of these three classes seem to be a match for the current Class D.

Just like a classic roguelike tower climbing game where there's a malfunctioning robot that's only the fourth strongest in the entire game but has only four playable characters, Class 1-D's competitiveness is indeed shockingly weak right now.

But sometimes, it is precisely because things have hit rock bottom that they are more likely to rebound.

Moreover, everything he has done today has already formed the first link in the equation called victory.

"... Finally, it was successfully sent out."

Although it may seem like just a matter of ten minutes to outsiders, for Shiina Hiyori, who had failed to rebel for three years—no, it should be "failed to Confessions a literary girl for three years" —Shiina Hiyori's events had completely exhausted all her physical and mental strength. Fortunately, none of the unexpected events she had anticipated occurred, and the only one who intruded, Ryuen Kakeru, turned out to be a complete ally and wingman. In the end, she managed to complete this event that she had been preparing and planning for so long.

"How are you feeling at Hiyori?"

"It's alright... well, I should say it's very good."

As she spoke, Shiina Hiyori Karuizawa Kei also showed Karuizawa Megumi the ring that Kitagawa Ryo had just returned to her, which she was now wearing:

"Now they're finally a pair."

"Yes, congratulations, that's really not easy."

"Actually, I did think about what to do if Ichinose suddenly lost her temper or did something drastic."

"Didn't I already tell Hiyori that Honami wouldn't do something like that? In fact, Hiyori should be thinking how lucky it is that it's Honami today."